ONE of Wales’ leading work-based learning providers is calling for better collaboration between schools, employers and training providers to inform young people and their parents about apprenticeships.

Faith O’Brien, managing director of Welshpool-based Cambrian Training Company, said: “A significant gap remains in the quality of joint marketing activities between schools, employers and training providers to effectively promote apprenticeships”.

“This gap is often attributed to a lack of awareness among careers officers in schools and a reluctance to present apprenticeships as a viable option for all pupils, regardless of academic attainment.”

She believes best practice for promoting apprenticeships involves directly engaging with employers to foster strategic and operational relationships while investing in the sector.

“Many employers in Wales have successfully embedded apprenticeships into their career pathways, making them a crucial component of their recruitment and retention strategies,” she added.

“As the leading provider of work-based apprenticeships in Hospitality and Food & Drink Manufacturing, Cambrian Training has built strong employer relationships, enabling a deep understanding of business needs and ensuring apprenticeship programmes align with their delivery models”.

“It’s vital that young people, their parents and teachers have access to all the available information of the different education options. We also need parity of esteem between the academic and vocational routes, so that our young people can take informed decisions that lead to successful life-long careers.”

Faith’s comments come as Wales tries to reduce the number of young people aged between 16 to 24 not in education, training or employment (NEET). The year ending September 2024 showed that the NEET rate was 10.7% and individuals aged 24 accounted for the highest rate at 18.8%.

Recent UK research commissioned by Grant Thornton UK LLP reported growing recognition of the benefits apprenticeship can offer school leavers. However, almost one in five (19%) of young people surveyed don’t believe they have received good careers advice about school leaver apprenticeships.

Most young people felt pressure from parents and teachers to go to university and only just over one in five (22%) are considering or currently doing a school leaver apprenticeship.

The Senedd’s Children, Young People and Education Committee has launched The Routes into post-16 education and training inquiry, examining the quality of information given to learners about the full range of post-16 options in Wales.

The inquiry will also examine how effective careers support is at compulsory school age, changes in post-18routes, Welsh-medium provision, equity of access, Post-16 destination data and the Welsh Government’s role.

Cambrian Training Company is supporting careers initiatives aimed at schoolchildren and their parents to raise awareness, knowledge and interest in apprenticeships.

The company attends apprenticeship and careers fairs across Wales and sponsors the Culinary Association of Wales and the Welsh International Culinary Championships (WICC).

The WICC features competitions and skills classes to give young people a chance to try their hand and learn more about the industry and job opportunities.

Cambrian Training Company also collaborates with Menter a Busnes and Tasty Careers in Food & Drink schools programmes to promote careers in Welsh food and drink and hospitality

Photo captions: 

Cambrian Training Company promoting apprenticeships at the Apprenticeship Fair held in the Senedd during National Apprenticeship Week.

Faith O’Brien, Cambrian Training Company’s managing director.

Jo Stevens: Floating wind farms will bring jobs, prosperity and real change to Welsh communities

WALES is poised to take a leading role in the UK’s clean energy revolution, according to the Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens.

Speaking after the announcement that Milford Haven, Port Talbot and Swansea have been shortlisted as integration ports for the Celtic Sea’s floating wind developments, Ms Stevens described the news as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to put Wales at the forefront of green energy innovation.

The UK Government-backed plans could generate up to 4.5 gigawatts of electricity—enough to power more than four million homes—while creating over 5,000 skilled jobs and attracting billions of pounds in investment.

‘A huge leap forward for Wales’

Ms Stevens said: “Floating wind technology is at the forefront of the green energy revolution, offering an exciting opportunity for Wales to lead the way in developing this innovative technology. This is an incredible leap forward for renewable energy and a major economic opportunity for south and west Wales.”

She emphasised that the benefits go beyond electricity generation, with ripple effects expected across construction, manufacturing, logistics and engineering.

“These are skilled, green jobs that will provide long-term, secure employment in an industry that is essential for our future,” she said. “I want these jobs to be in Wales.”

Hope for the next generation

Reflecting on a recent visit to Pembrokeshire, the Secretary of State highlighted conversations with young apprentices at Ledwood Engineering and Dragon LNG in Milford Haven.

“I met Libby and Albie, two apprentices inspired by the clean energy sector and keen to build their futures in their home communities. Their optimism shows how renewable energy can truly deliver for local people.”

From coal to clean energy

Ms Stevens also spoke about the long maritime heritage of Welsh ports and how this legacy positions Wales to become a leader in renewable energy.

“From exporting coal to driving tourism, Welsh ports have always played a vital role. Now they are ready to seize the golden opportunity to become powerhouses of clean energy and innovation. This week’s announcement shows we’re not just part of the plan—we’re leading it.”

She added that the UK Government’s “Plan for Change” would support this ambition by helping the UK become a clean energy superpower, while delivering meaningful improvements at a community level.

Delivering real change

Ms Stevens stressed that floating offshore wind is about more than infrastructure—it is about transforming lives.

“Through floating wind, we are tackling climate change, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and putting more pounds in people’s pockets. The jobs and opportunities it creates will help lower energy bills and provide affordable, clean energy for generations to come.”

Pembrokeshire at the centre

Momentum is building around Pembrokeshire’s role in the sector. With backing from the Welsh Government and the Port of Milford Haven, work is already under way to prepare the region for its new role in green energy.

“Pembrokeshire can be at the heart of this,” Ms Stevens said. “From local job creation to major infrastructure investment, this is a once-in-a-generation chance to lead the way in clean, green growth.”

She concluded: “I am committed to making sure that this development brings lasting benefits to communities across Wales—from new career paths to lower household bills.”

Lichfield Garrick is thrilled to announce that actors Alan Booty and Jonathan Houlston will be leading the cast of their upcoming UK Tour of ‘Farm Boy,’ an adaptation of the much-loved sequel to Sir Michael Morpurgo’s ‘War Horse’.

Adapted and directed by the venue’s artistic director Daniel Buckroyd, this critically acclaimed play, which has previously toured the UK and transferred to New York, will be performing at The Torch Theatre on Thursday May 22 at 2 pm and 6 pm as part of its UK Tour.

‘Farm Boy’ is Michael Morpurgo’s sequel to his beloved masterpiece, ‘War Horse’. Set on the farm where he lives in Devon,  and based on the real people he has encountered, this heartwarming and compelling narrative pays homage to the generation who fought in the First World War, the world they came home to and how that conflict affected them.

In a recent conversation with Buckroyd, which is available to view on the Garrick website, Morpurgo spoke about how technology is interrupting relationships between older and younger people and how grandparents and grandchildren spend less time sharing stories. Lichfield Garrick hopes that its production of ‘Farm Boy’ can bring families together to share this story that seems to resonate so strongly across the generations.

Alan Booty plays Grandpa and his career includes productions at the National Theatre, Chichester Festival Theatre and with a host of regional and touring theatre companies, as well as on TV and film. Roles have ranged from King Lear at Brockley Jack Theatre in 2019 to Hermann in a recent critically-acclaimed run of his own play ‘The Loaf’ with Pogo Theatre. Alan is thrilled to be reclaiming his role and is looking forward to bringing the amazing stories that Grandpa recounts to life for family audiences.

Jonathan Houlston plays Grandson. A recent Royal Birmingham Conservatoire graduate, he has already built up a wealth of stage experience, having played Sidney Barnsley in ‘The Making of Lucy’ and Ian in ‘Holes’. His screen credits include a memorable guest lead role in ‘Doctors’ for the BBC, and as a founder of Mad Dragon Theatre Company he performed in its debut production of his own play ‘Physical Education’.

Don’t miss the chance to join Alan and Jonathan for this critically acclaimed show that picks up the story of Albert and Joey where ‘War Horse’ ends, and paints a forgotten history of the changing face of life in rural England.

FARM BOY will be on the Torch Theatre stage on Thursday, May 22, at 2pm and 6pm.

Tickets are priced £15.